Whether you’re moving out for the first time, you’re moving into a more permanent apartment, or you just got a job in a new city, decorating a new apartment can be daunting. What style should you go for? How can you bring each room together while staying under budget? How do you decorate a small apartment? We’re here to answer these questions and more.
Buy Big Pieces First
Whether you’re looking at a thrift store for frugal finds or decking out your luxury apartment in designer furniture, the ideas stay the same. Find large pieces, such as dressers, beds, couches, and tables, first. This provides you with a starting point from which to build upon. You’re looking to complement those pieces with the surrounding décor while infusing your own personality and flair.
Upcycle
Taking an object and reusing or repurposing it is the ultimate budget and environmentally friendly option. For instance, you can create a vintage look in your bedroom by finding an antique dresser at a thrift store, or you can find vintage pieces of hardware, like drawer pulls or door handles, and install them on doors or furniture to create your own shabby chic décor.
Upgrade
If you’re going for a more modern look, you can upgrade your hardware with polished brass or stainless steel. If you’re allowed to paint in your apartment, adding a new layer or new color to a living room or bedroom can drastically change the atmosphere for the better. Just make sure to get your painting done before you move in too many items.
Use Plants and Pillows
Looking to bring a room to life? Nothing does it as well as the two Ps, and both are extremely cost-effective. If you have a thrift-shop couch, spruce it up with a few beautiful throw pillows, and then decorate an end table with a green plant or two. Great plants for apartments include the rubber plant, aloe vera plant, lucky bamboo, and peace lily.
Play with Space
You don’t need a lot of possessions to decorate a modern apartment home, and often less is more. When it comes to furniture, having too much can make a small apartment feel cramped. Try to use storage items that double as furniture, such as a vintage trunk that also acts as a coffee table. Also, keep furniture at least one inch away from the walls to create the appearance of a more spacious room.
